'It's hard on all of us': Local woman shares her story during Walk for Alzheimer's

As difficult as Sandy Phillips’ life has been since her husband, Clayton, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the St. Catharines woman says she needs to talk about it to help others.

That’s why, when approached, she agreed to be a spokesperson for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimers.

“If just one person that's here today learns from my story and goes and seeks help, I'll be happy,” Phillips said as she prepared to lead 920 participants in the Niagara walk at Brock University on Sunday.

Clayton was 80 when he first started showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s. He had difficulty navigating traffic while driving and he began to experience sudden mood changes, something Phillips said was a big departure from her husband’s “jovial” disposition.

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that gets worse over time. Patients with Alzheimer’s experience changes in the brain that lead to deposits of certain proteins. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia marked by a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behaviour and social skills.

“My husband was dealing with it good until he lost his license and then it hit him and that wasn't long after he was diagnosed,” Phillips said. “I was the one who wasn’t coping with it well.”

Phillips sought help from the Alzheimer’s Society of Niagara Region.

“I can’t tell you how much they helped me,” Phillips said. “They helped support me and educate me on what to expect."

What was happening to Clayton, who is now in long-term care, was difficult for the entire family, Phillips said.

“It's hard on all of us," Phillips said. "It’s even hard on my friends because my husband was one of the kindest, gentlest, most wonderful husband and father and grandfather and great grandfather. You couldn't have asked for better and now he is 150 per cent opposite to what he ever was.”

But what gets her through the tough times, was the support she received from the Alzheimer’s Society. “When I needed their help, they were always there for me,” Philips said.

Which brought Phillips back to why she agreed to be a spokesperson for the walk.

“I'm still having a really difficult time,” Phillips said. “This I believe is going to help me more trying to get the point across to people that need the help."

She said when Clayton was first diagnosed, it hit her hard.

“I was basically a mess. I didn't know how to handle it,” Phillips said. “I watched my husband get worse and that was hard.”

Teena Kindt, the chief executive officer for the Alzheimer’s Society of Niagara, said Phillips’ story is a prime example of why the organization is a benefit to the community through the help it provides to people living with Alzheimer’s.

“I’ve met many families and see the devastation (brought by Alzheimer’s), so we provide hope,” Kindt said. “We don't want people to go through this journey alone. There's lots of support.”

The goal of the society, Kindt said, is to break down the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s.

“Come forward, talk to us, come join our programs, get involved,” Kindt said.

Last year’s walk raised $225,000 for the society and Kindt said the goal for Sunday was to raise $200,000 of the $700,000 needed annually to run programs and services. All the money raised in Niagara will stay in Niagara.

“It goes to all of our programs and services,” Kindt said. “We do a lot of recreation and social programs that are not funded by the government.”

Sunday’s walk also included a wellness fair with vendors showcasing products and services geared toward health, live entertainment, an online auction and prizes for top fundraisers in team and individual categories.

More information on the Alzheimer's Society of Niagara can be found here.